A recent Facebook Meme for Mother’s Day could potentially hand valuable information about your children over to criminals. The meme asks you to post your children’s names, birth dates, birth weights and other information.

A child’s identity is a blank slate, which unfortunately makes their social security numbers very attractive to criminals. Parents typically don’t monitor their children’s identities, so it could take years before fraud is detected.

The potential impact of identity fraud on a child’s future is profound; it could destroy or damage the ability to get student loans, obtain a job or secure a place to live.

Don’t post information about your kids on Facebook that you wouldn’t consider giving to a telemarketer.

The following are tips from a Carnegie Mellon report on Child Identity Theft:
“Here are several signs that can tip you off to the fact that someone has misused your child’s personal information.

Watch for mail in your child’s name: If you begin receiving pre-approved credit cards or other unsolicited financial offers in your child’s name, it is an indicator that your child may have an open credit file.

Teach your child about identity theft and online safety: Talk to your child about the dangers of sharing personal data online. Children surfing the web are particularly vulnerable to exposing personal information in chat rooms or on social networking sites. Make sure children understand the importance of keeping this data private.

Don’t make your child susceptible to “friendly” identity theft: Don’t ever use your child’s name to open utility or other credit accounts. Protect your child’s personal information by keeping it locked up in your home where visitors cannot access it.

Keep your child’s sensitive documents safe: Gauge your child’s level of responsibility before you share banking and credit information with them, even accounts in their name. Most children will need their Social Security card when they go off to college, but make sure they know to keep their card in a safe place rather than carry it around in a wallet or purse.”